Reduce your caffeine and nicotine intake. This will often reduce heart palpitations.

Learn to reduce stress and anxiety. This can help prevent palpitations and help you better manage them when they occur.

Try breathing exercises or deep relaxation (a step-by-step process of tensing and then relaxing every muscle group in your body)

Practice yoga, meditation, or tai chi.

Get regular exercise.

Do not smoke.

Once a serious cause has been ruled out by your doctor, try not to pay close attention to heart palpitations. This may cause stress. However, contact your doctor if you notice a sudden increase or a change in them.

Review Date: 6/3/2012Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.

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